MAM
UNICEF ropes in Big B as goodwill ambassador
MUMBAI: UNICEF appointed Amitabh Bachchan as its international Goodwill Ambassador in a formal signing event with UNICEF executive director Carol Bellamy.
“Amitabh has the star power to illuminate the lives of the millions of children who are living in dire circumstances. We look forward to a long collaboration with him, and we feel honoured to have him as part of the UNICEF family,” said Bellamy.
Bellamy appoints Amitabh Bachchan a UNICEF goodwill ambassador at UNICEF House Bachchan’s collaboration with UNICEF began in 2002 when a polio outbreak in northern India threatened to spread. His appearance in a series of award-winning television and radio commercials encouraging parents to take their children for vaccination against the crippling disease played an important role in saving lives.
Following the devastating tsunami in December, Bachchan appeared in a public service announcement on behalf of the victims and reminded people of their collective duty to protect and care for children, especially in times of crisis.
Bachchan addresses the gathering at the ceremony appointing him a UNICEF goodwill ambassador at UNICEF House with Bellamy. As a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, Bachchan’s special areas of focus will be polio eradication and HIV/AIDS. His role will include highlighting these issues with field visits, public appearances, and speaking out on behalf of children.
Bachchan is joining a select company of other public figures who have stood up for children, from the first goodwill ambassador Danny Kaye appointed in 1954 to the legendary Audrey Hepburn to the present day champions for children, Sir Roger Moore, Harry Belafonte and singer Angelique Kidjo, to name a few.
UNICEF goodwill ambassador Amitabh Bachchan presents a copy of his autobiography ‘To Be or Not To Be – Amitabh Bachchan’ to UNICEF executive director Carol Bellamy
UNICEF staff greeted Bachchan and his wife Jaya Bachchan to the UNICEF House in a traditional Indian welcome for honoured guests. He then met with Bellamy and later signed a letter of commitment for a two-year assignment with the agency.
“I am thrilled to be named goodwill ambassador, this is a great honour for me. I truly hope I will be able to make a difference in children’s lives,” said Bachchan.
Also present at the function were Amar Singh, Tina Ambani and Abhishek Bachchan.
MAM
Nikita Kandhari expands role at Prime Video India
Senior leader now heads content marketing for hindi slate while retaining principal position.
MUMBAI: Nikita Kandhari just levelled up her Prime Video game because when you’re already scripting hits, the next move is to own the whole Hindi storyline. Nikita Kandhari has taken on an expanded leadership role at Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, now heading content marketing for the Hindi slate covering original series, movies, and licensed titles while continuing as principal for content marketing.
Announcing the move on LinkedIn, Kandhari wrote, “I’m excited to share that I’m stepping into an expanded role, leading content marketing for the Hindi slate… The past year has been an intense period of learning across building new IPs, shaping campaigns, and working more closely than ever with cross-functional teams. I’m grateful for the trust, mentorship, and collaboration that made that growth possible.”
In her broader mandate, Kandhari will shape integrated, audience-first marketing strategies for Prime Video’s growing Hindi content portfolio, aiming to deepen engagement with India’s booming streaming viewers through thoughtful, culturally attuned campaigns.
Kandhari brings nearly two decades of experience across media, FMCG, and advertising. Before Amazon, she held key roles at Netflix, Hotstar, Unilever, Ogilvy & Mather, and began her career in 2008 as a Research Analyst at The Nielsen Company. She holds an MBA in Marketing and Strategy/Leadership from the Indian School of Business.
Her expanded remit arrives as Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios continue to scale their Hindi originals and licensed offerings in one of the world’s most competitive and fast-growing streaming markets. For a platform betting big on regional storytelling, placing someone with Kandhari’s blend of strategic depth, creative campaign experience, and cross-industry insight at the helm feels like the perfect plot twist to keep viewers hooked.
